KCI opens a Sh700m facility

Vehicle assembler,  Isuzu East Africa’s (Isuzu EA) appointed dealer, Kenya Coach Industry (KCI), has today opened a state of the art facility in Nairobi to fabricate the chassis and bodies of buses, as well as sell and service Isuzu motor vehicles.

The facility, located at National Park East Gate Road, was officially opened by Mr James Macharia, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. Built at a cost of nearly Kes700million, the expansive KCI facility comprises a showroom, service workshop, parts store, and body building operations with a capacity to build 100 bodies for buses and lorries every month.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director of KCI Mr Narian Sokhi, noted that the investment would help grow local assembly and the transport sector through enhanced production of quality bus bodies.

“We are delighted to be opening this new facility that will see the production of quality bus bodies and chassis,” said Narian Sokhi. “We have invested nearly 1 billion shillings in the construction of this facility with a production capacity of 100 bus bodies every month. This is a huge milestone, not just for KCI, but for the transport industry,” noted Mr Sokhi.

He added that the facility would provide employment directly and indirectly while supporting the growth of other industries in its supply value chain.

“This new facility has 300 staff who are hired directly while 1,200 employees are employed indirectly,” said Mr Sokhi. “The facility also supports the suppliers of steel, aluminum, paint, glass and electrical equipment which produce the material required to fabricate chassis and vehicle body parts,” said Mr. Sokhi.

Presiding over the opening of the facility, Mr James Macharia, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, emphasized on the importance of supporting the Government in its quest to boost manufacturing. The Government has stated that manufacturing is one of the “Big Four” pillars it will use to drive economic growth even as it improves healthcare, provides affordable housing and boosts agricultural production.

“I am happy to see local companies stepping up and supporting the Government achieve its Big Four agenda. An investment such as this demonstrates commitment to grow the local assembly industry and positively impact the economy,” said Mr Macharia. “As a Government we will continue to support local manufacturing companies through the formulation of favourable policies that provide a conducive atmosphere for qualified body builders to operate,” added Macharia.

Isuzu Motors was represented by Mr Tetsuo Tsuzaki, Executive Vice President, Isuzu Motors International FZE. He described the opening of the facility as a milestone that would serve the needs of Isuzu customers. “We have no doubt that this well-equipped facility will meet the expectations of Isuzu customers through excellent Sales, Aftersales and Body Building services,” he said.

Isuzu EA Managing Director Ms Rita Kavashe lauded KCI for its investment in the facility stating that the company is expanding its aftersales network and focusing on further improving customer service experience.

“We are committed to supporting the KCI to provide quality aftersales services to Isuzu customers through well-trained service technicians. This investment contributes to the expansion of our local assembly potential through bus body building,” said Ms Kavashe.